Method for demonstrating efficacy of a topically applied active ingredient

Abstract

A method is disclosed for demonstrating the efficacy of a topically applied active ingredient, which method includes topically applying a composition containing an active ingredient to an area of skin, applying an absorbent material to the area of skin to extract at least a portion of the active ingredient from the skin, thereby incorporating the portion of active ingredient with the absorbent material in a releasable manner, removing the absorbent material from the skin, extracting the active ingredient from the absorbent material, combining the extracted active ingredient with cellular growth media, incubating the cellular growth media with cultured cells for a period of time to produce a biomarker, and measuring the biomarker to indicate efficacy of the active ingredient.

1 . A method for demonstrating the efficacy of a topically applied active ingredient, comprising: 
 topically applying a composition containing an active ingredient to an area of skin,    applying an absorbent material to the area of skin to remove at least a portion of the active ingredient from the area of skin, thereby incorporating the portion of active ingredient with the absorbent material in a releasable manner,    removing the absorbent material comprising the portion of active ingredient incorporated therewith from the skin,    extracting the active ingredient from the absorbent material,    combining the extracted active ingredient with a cellular growth media comprising cultured cells,    incubating cultured cells in the cellular growth media for a period of time effective to produce a biomarker; and    measuring the biomarker to indicate efficacy of the active ingredient.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of retinol, dimethylaminoethanol, tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediaamine, soy, feverfew, hydrocortisone, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, swabs, powders, films and wipes.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cellular growth media is RPMI Medium 1640.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cells are selected from the group consisting of murine cells, Hacat keratinocyte cells and Jurkat T-cells.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the biomarker is selected from the group consisting of interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin  6  and reactive oxygen species.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material is applied to the area of skin 1 to 24 hour after applying the composition comprising the active ingredient to the area of skin.  
   
   
       8 . The method according  claim 1  wherein the portion of active ingredient is extracted from the absorbent material in the presence of the cellular growth media.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cells are incubated in the cellular growth media for about 1 minute to about 24 hours.